JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
the more... the more/to the extent
Category: Emphasis and Degree
The grammar pattern "【動詞辞書形/い形/な形＋な/名詞】＋ほど" is used to indicate a high degree or a proportional change where one thing increases along with another. It emphasizes the extent to which something happens or is true. For example, "この本は、読めば読むほど面白くなります." means "The more you read this book, the more interesting it becomes."
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary form | 動詞の辞書形＋ほど | 読むほど |
| Verb -i form | 動詞のい形＋ほど | 読むほど |
| Na-adjective | 形容詞のな形＋ほど | 面白いほど |
| Noun | 名詞＋ほど | 金額ほど |
この本は、読めば読むほど面白くなります。
Kono hon wa, yondeba yomuru hodo omoshirokunari masu.
The more you read this book, the more interesting it becomes.
この本は (this book) + 読めば (the more you read) + 読むほど (to the extent that you read) + 面白くなります (becomes more interesting)
山の上に行くほど、空気が薄くなります。
Yama no ue ni ikuporo, kūki ga usukunari masu.
The higher you go up the mountain, the thinner the air becomes.
山の上 (up the mountain) + 行くほど (to the extent that you go) + 空気が (the air) + 薄くなります (becomes thinner)
昨日の試験は、泣きたいほど難しかった。
Kinō no shiken wa, nakitai hodo muzukashikatta.
Yesterday's exam was so difficult that I wanted to cry.
昨日の試験 (yesterday's exam) + 泣きたいほど (to the extent that I wanted to cry) + 難しかった (was difficult)
彼は、金額ほどの金を手に入れることができませんでした。
Kare wa, kane no hodo no kane o te ni ireru koto ga dekinakatta.
He couldn't earn as much money as he had hoped.
彼は (he) + 金額ほど (to the extent of the amount) + の金 (of money) + 手に入れる (to earn) + ことができませんでした (couldn't)
This pattern is used to indicate a high degree or a proportional change. It is often used in sentences where the subject is doing something and the extent of the action is emphasized. The pattern can be used with verbs, na-adjectives, and nouns. It is not used to indicate a specific point in time, but rather a degree or extent.
While both 'ほど' and 'くらい' can be used to indicate a degree or extent, 'ほど' is used for proportional sentences where one thing increases along with another, whereas 'くらい' is used for sentences where the degree is not necessarily proportional.
When using 'ほど' with na-adjectives, the 'な' must be included to indicate the adjective form.
While 'ほど' can be used to indicate a degree or extent, it is not used to indicate a specific point in time. A different pattern, such as '時点' or '状況', should be used instead.
When using 'ほど' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly to indicate a high degree or a proportional change. Be careful not to mix it up with 'くらい' or use it for a specific point in time instead of a degree.
この本は、読めば読む______面白くなります。
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